One Rhode Island lawmaker is pushing to limit executive pay at state hospitals ahead of a proposed merger with Massachusetts' largest hospital group.
WPRI-TV reports that Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey filed two bills related to hospital compensation last week. One would cap executives' pay at 110% of the average for their peers in the Northeast. The other would prevent top hospital leadership from being awarded financially for supporting a merger.
The Democrat says he is concerned leadership at Care New England will get a "golden parachute" if the planned merger with Partners HealthCare proceeds.
A spokesman for Care New England says they plan to carefully review the proposed bills.
Both bills are awaiting hearings with the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.